Substances



oct. 16, 1928.

C. H. PARKER DISTILLATION- oF` COAL AND SIMILAR cARBoNAcEoUs sUBsTANcEs Filed Jan. 27, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventar CCH. Hvker s 2..... Jttomey.

DISTILLATION 0F COAL AND SIMILAR CARBONACEOUS SUBSTANCES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 C. H. PARKER iled Jan. 27. 1928 Inventor by M Lau-444i Hamel/ Oct. 16, 1928.

c. H. PARKER DISTILLATION OF yCOAL AND SIMILA CARBONAGEOUS SUBSTANCES A Filed Jan. 27, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor afl. Park/zr:

Oct. 16, 1928.

c. H. PARKER DISTILLATION 0F COAL AND SIMILAR CARBONACEOUS SUBSTANCES Filed Jan. 27, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Invenor lParker K0'. .mi

Attorney.

Oct, .16, 192s. 1,687,990

C. H. PARKER DISTILLATION OF COAL AND SIMILAR CARBONACEOUS SUBSTANCES Filed Jan. 27, 1928 5 sheets-sheet 5 Inventor L', Pal-ker Patented Oct. i6, i928.

UNITED STATES Lasten CHARLES HENRY PARKER, OF CODSPLLL, ENGLAND.

DISTILLATION OF COAL AND SIMILAR CARBQNACEOUS SUBSTANCES.

Application vfiled January 27, 1.528, Serial No. 249,966, and in Great Britain September 25, 1926.

This invention relates ,to apparatus i'or the distillation olf coal and similar carbonaceous substances and especially Jor carrying out distillation at low or nledium temperatures for the production of a residue that issubstantially smokeless in burning in an open grate and that has a substantial volatile content.

The inventlon has among its objects to` avoid the practical diiliculties hitherto experienced in so-called low temperature distillation and to provide an apparatus that is relatively inexpensive and in wl ich the charging and discharging are simply and 'expeditiously performed as well as the cooling or quenching of the residue ot distillation, and wherein the rate, oi` progress through the retort is readily determinable and variable according. to the character ot the` raw material and the character ot the desired carbonized product.

According to the invention the coal or other substance to be distilled is charged into receptacles advantageously ot an elongated or cylindrical form and thesereceptacles are .cant-:ed to pass through the retort in which the distillation is effected by rolling upon straight inclined tracks from the charging to the discharging positions, one or a number of receptacles being periodicallycharged while one or a number are periodically withdrawn, so that thus there isa continued pro- `cfression ot the receptacles through the retort.

According to the invention means are provided `for ehargingthe receptacleswith the coal or other carb'onaceous substance to be distilled. Means are also provided by which one or :i number ot receptacles may be introduced into the retort under gas tight conditions and such means comprise broadly a carrier mounted to rotate or oscillate within an enclosure or casing provided with a gap or recess. The carrier is provided Ot a length corresilioifiding to the length of the receptacles., the arrangement being such that hart ot the carrier is exposed within the gap or recess provided in the surrounding casing, so that thus the receptacle may be introduced into position on. the carrier whereby the carrier .may then be rotated or oscillated to cause the receptacle to pass into the retort and to 'tall or pass into position behind the receptacle previously introduced.

' According to the invention similar means are pevided to withdraw one or other numr 't the receptacles ant vsuch means simicomprise the use ot a rotating or osciltlng carrier mounted wlthin a casing or closure provided with a gap or aperture lierein,'the operation being similar to but he reverseoi that of the carrier at the inlet 'ind oi the retort and being such that the l st et the series of receptacles on reaching i end ot the retort may pass into the cor- 'c pending recess within the carrier` and on ie rotatcn or oscillation of the carrier, the eccptacle is passed outward whence it may ll or be. conveyed away for the purpose cooling and discharge of its contents.

According to the invention, also, the re- *roles 'tor the coal or other carbonaceous .,sance to be distilled are ot a cylindrical or other form adapted to roll or otherwise traverse the retort in the manner described and are adapted to be charged with the substance to be distilled betere passing into the carrier by which they are charged into the retort. Advantageously, the receptacles are oi' cylindrical form, open at both ends and adapted to be closed by means ot perforated caps or covers by which the material contained within each` reccptacleis retained during the passage ot the receptacle through the retort. .The receptacles, may, however, be provided ot any suitable crosssection and be adapted to bccharged or discharged by any suitable means and may further be provided with annular flanges or collars or end plates ot circular form. by which they may be adapted to travel upon the bottom of the retort itself or upon the rails pr0- vided thereon.

According to the invention, moreover, means are provided tor setting the receptacles in a charfring position in alignment with charging hopper or charging cylinder into `which the charge of coal or other carbonaceous substance is first passed and from which the charge may tall by gravity or be transferred by a piston or plunger into the receptacle. The receptacles may be brought .into the desired position for charging by means of a run way or track and maybe delivered to a turntable or like device adapted to rotate. about a horizontal axis and thus to rotate the receptacle carried thereon into a position below the charging hopper or again,

`the receptacle and positively to eject the charge.

According to the invention, with a. view to avoid too great a length of the retort furnace or setting, the retorts are provided in connection sections ofA opposite inclination, and means are provided at the lower end of one section of the retort by which, on the receptacles reaching that position, they fall into the vsection of the retort nexty beneath the first and soon, the retort being advanta- V geously formed, for example, in three such. sections so that the discharging position is disposed at the opposite end or side of the setting to the charging position.

According' to the invention, moreover, in such a construction of the retort, at the jun ctions between the adjacent sections oit' the retort, there may be provided rotatable v carriers for the receptacles as hereinbefore described, for use in charging and discharging the receptacles into and from the retort, such carriers being advantageously operated in synchronism withl the carriers at the charging and discharging ends of the retortand serving to effect the transfer of the receptacles from one section ofthe retort to the other.

According to the invention, moreover, the setting for the retort or retorts is provided With retort chambers in which the gases for heating the retort or retorts may be received and in which the latter may be so mounted as to permit free expansion and contractionl thereof. The retort chambers may be adapted to receive the heating gases at intervals along its length from a main conduit supplied with heating gases` from a producer, furnace or other source, Which producer or furnace may also be provided Within the setting. The introduction of heating gas s into the retort chamber, hoivever, may be so determined 'that a considerable volume oi" the heating gases necessary for heating 'the retort is introduced into the retort chamber at a point adjacent the upper end of the retort,

-the heating gases being drawn through the retort chamber to the lower end ofthe retort under draught to thedischargi-i tine.

According to the invention, moreover, the volatile products of distillation are advantageously withdrawn from a point adjacent the upperlnost end of the retort. They may, however, be Withdrawn at any suitable point or points in the lengthV of the retort. Thus, inra construction involving retorts in sections v`ashereinbelfore described, the'volatile prodl ucts of distillation mayy be Withdrawn by outlets disposed adjacent the junctions of the several sections of the retort.

According to the invention, moreover, gas Such as Water gas ar gas prepared according to the Tully process, may be introduced into the retort advantageously adjacent the .lower or discharge end so that such oas ma vrihe invention is illustrated, by 'Way of" example', in the accompanying drawings, in Whichf Figure l is a'diagrannnatic sectional elevation of a retort in three connected sections and its setting. Y

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional vieiv .of the retort and retort setting taken on the line AA of Figure 1. 4

Figure 3 lis a detail cross-sectional vieiv of the upper retort section and retort setting,

to a larger scaleftakenon the line BB of Figure l.

Figure 4t is a detail elevation, partly in section and to an enlarged scale, of the means for connecting two sections of the retort so as to permit freedoniof movement for ein pension. f j f Figure 5 is a detail sectional elevation of the means for -charging the receptacles into and sealing theretort, to an enlarged scale.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional plan view of the means represented in Figure 5, and to the same scale.A

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic elevation partly in section, of the complete'apparatus.

Figure 8 is a side-elevation of the recepltacle charging gear, and

Figure y9 is an end elevation of the receptacle charging gear.

In carrying the invention into effect, according to a construction involving a retort provided in connected sections, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, with a view to minimize the length of the setting, the sections l, 2, 8 of the retort are advantageously provided one beneath the other, the section 2 being of opposite. inclination to the sections l and 3, the lower end of eacli section being located imn'iediately above and suitably connected to the ripper end of the succeeding section so that the receptacles may fall or be transferred into the uppermost part of the next section of the' retort.

Each section of the retort is formed ota series of cast tubular metal units a of substantially rectangular cross-sectii nal shape and flanged at each end, as at al, in order to fil) enable the adjacent units to be secured one to the other, advantageously by means of bolts and nuts or alternatively of such sesuring devices as cast iron pins and cotters adapted to resist the corrosive effect of producer gas. It will be understood that the internal cross-section of the units is of a length to laccommodate the length of the receptacles b that are provided to roll through the retorts in the manner before described. The lower internal face of each unit is advantageously provided with rails a2 upon which the said receptacles Z) may rest. Similarly upon the lower exterior face ofeach unit there are advantageously provided rails or longitudinal projections a? by which the units may, `where possible, be

supported upon rollers c2 seated freely in suitably formed recesses in longitudinally disposed bearing plates c1 litted below the retort in the retort chamber c.

In order to permit of the of the free expansion and contraction of the retort sections, there is provided in the length of each section, and advantageously at the upper end, as indicated in Figure l, with respect to thesection l of thel retort, an expansion collar or sleeve (l adapted to be mounted fixedly in position and to receive slidably fitted therein the adjacent end of the retort section, the end unit a* of which is provided with a machined surface a5 to fit within the said collar or sleeve (Z.v At the junctions between the sections of retort the expansion collars or sleeves d may advantageously be secured to cast junction boxes e serving for the connection of the adjacent sections of retort.

The expansion collars or sleeves are conveniently provided to be, for a portion all of their length, of a cross-sectional form similar to that of the units a of the retort sections so that, this portion being that by which the expansion collar or sleeve is mounted in position it forms a part ofthe retort, while for the remainder of their length, they are formed of enlarged lcrosssection and with slide surfaces, Z2 to receive the end unit of the retort sections which are suitably formed and prepared on the exterior, as hereinbefore described, to be received therein. The expansion collars or sleeves, moreover, are advantageously pro- Yvided in twoor more parts meeting at Z3 on a plane or planes parallel with the axis of the retort and suitably flanged or otherwise provided to permit them to be readily secured together. Y

In orderthat the receptacles Y) may traverse the expansion collars or sleeves (l, the rails a2 upon which the receptacles are carried may, immediately adjacent the extremity of tfhe retort section, be bent or diverted laterally or reduced in cross-section to forni recesses inwhich laterally disposed, overvof the junction of the retort sections.

.tu'dinal recess c3 before referred to.

lapping port-ions of rail d5 formed integrally with or secured in position in the expansion collar or sleeve cl may be disposed so as to be side by sidetherewith, so that a continuous rail surface is presented to the receptacles notwithstanding the expansion and contraction Awhich takes place in the retort sections. Said portions of rail are advantageously disposed to the side of the rails a2 against which the collars upon the receptacles, when such collars are provided, bear, and the ends of the said portions are bevelled in order that the collars may pass them readily without danger of fouling the said end in traversing the gaps which are left for expansion. Other means for maintaining a continuous rail surface may be adopted, however.

Thek junction boxes el before referred to,

are mounted in position in the end walls of the retort setting f and may conveniently be provided as hollow rectangular casings having an end plate e1L adapted to be applied upon the outer face of the retort setting and formed, opposite to such end plate with two tubular portions or socket-s e2 of crosssection corresponding to that of the units of the retortand disposed with their axes at an angle corresponding to the relative inclination of the two sections of retort to be connected. Such tubular portions or sockets, it will be understood, are provided either to be secured to the end units'aG of the adjacent section of ret-ort or to receive an expansion collar or sleeve d as before referred to, In the interior such hollow casings are provided with web plates c3 in continuation of the rails a2 upon which the receptacles o are carried in the retorts, such web plates serving to guide the receptacles from the one retort section to the other retort section. 'A door or manhole c* is advantageously provided lOl) in the end plate and may carry upon it the Y corresponding portions ofthe web plates before referred to. V

It will be understood that each section of retortl is mounted in a corresponding retort chamber c which is advantageously of a cross-section corresponding to that of the retort, but conveniently provided of slightly arched form and with a longitudinal recess below the retort so that space is provided for the heating gases to pass both above a f below the retort. The respective retort chambers for each section of retort communicate at the junctions between the sections and it will be understood that the intervening portions of the walls of the retort chainbers are omitted where necessarj.' to permit ri`hc bearing plates c1 uponr which the retort sections are supported `are convenient-.ir mounted upon the lateral edges of the lonci- Within the lower portion of the retort setting a con duit or conduits f1 is or are provided for thel heating gases which are supplied from a producer, furnace, or other source (not shown), and connected to such conduit or conduits there are provided upwardly directed passages 2 'from which. again, lateral passages f3 aiiord communication with the retort chanibers o in which are disposed the several sections of retort. Such gas passages are conveniently provided in duplicate, that is to say at each side oi the retort chambers.

rlhey may, however, be provided at one side only. inthe setting* in the positions opposite the laterally disposed passages before referred to there are conveniently provided l passages j leadingto the exterior ot the tort setting` and serving for the admission of air under the control of dampers or for the purpose of inspection.`

The volatile products of distillation Amay be withdrawn from the retort by way oit out4N lets provided in determined positions, the unitso'll the retort sections such points being formed with Sockets or unions with which may 'be connected the pipe by which .the volatile products are led away in the usual manner. It is advantageous to provide a. single outlet, such as el, disposed near Vthe uppermost end of the retort, but a numferred to. Similar means may be provided for the introductioninto the retort of water gas or other gas, such Vas that produced by the Tully process, whereby the heat oit such gases may Vbe utilized to assist in the carbonization ot' the substance being' dis-- tilled and may be enriched'with the gases evolved.

rlhe receptacles o ifor the carbonaceous substance to be di ated conveniently comprise open ended cylinders olf a length corresponding,` to that of thecrosssection of the retort and provided with collars or ilanges 1 adapted to maintain the "ecol, tacle in position upon th i rails c? within the retort.

The receptacles may be provided oli any convenient dimensions. llt is, however., preferred to provide the receptacles of a relatively small dian'ietcr; for example the rc ccptaclcs may be provided ot' six inches diameter and four 'iicot SIX inches in length, and aV considerable number, such as torty or ity for example, of suclrreceptacles may be passing' through the retort at a time. The receptacles may be conveniently provided ot metal ot such a thickness as to withstand the treatin-'lent to which they are subjected in use and they maybe provided ci a uniform thieqness of, for example, one-eighth inch or (me-iraitE inch. It will, however, be under-V stood that the invention is not limited at all to the dimensions or shape of the receptacles. Y f

rEhe receptacles are adapted to be closed by means ot perforated discs o2 which are conveniently of a diameter slightly less'than the ,internal diameter ot the receptacles `@nich discs are provided with diametrically disposed pins .3 of rectangular cross-section, which pins are adapted to be engaged. in b yonetclots `o* formed in the extremities ot e receptacles. The rectangular cross- ;sfection ci the pins and the corresponding shap of the slots, it will be understood, to prevent any rotational movement c discs. Y

The means 'lor charging the receptacles into the retorts may be of any suitable construction permitting of the introduction of the receptacles singly or in a number in a substantially gas-tightmanner and the same applies to the means of discharging kthe receptacles from the retort. K

At the charging end o'l the retort such means convenientlyA comprise a cylindrical drum 'f/ `formed at one or more points in the circumference with a recess g1 or recesses in which may be nested a. single receptacle o. Such drum iiorms the carrier before referredV to and is mounted. so as to be rotatable about its axis within al correspondingly formed cylindricalcasing` as applied at the charging end ot the retort and provided with dia- 1 metrically disposed openings by which the receptacles may pass from an inclined feed track 71, into vthe carrier g and from theV can rier on to the rails a2 at the charging end oliV the retort. A similar carrier or rotatable drum c' is lprovided at theIoischargingu end ot the retort but in this instance, the cylindrical casing j is provided with an annular socliet jl ttor connection to theretort ot suchv form that the casing is disposed substantially below the bottom ot the retort a and so that the receptacles o passing' into the carrier may i'all therein and thus the weight ot' the succeeding receptacles o within the retort may not be applied upon the carrier. lt will be understood that the carriers at the charging' and discharging ends ot the retort are adapted to be rotated either intermittently or continuously by suitable means in such manner thatthe receptacles are .regularly introduced' into the retort and'discharged therefrom, and so that the operation of the plant may thus be continuous.

For the charging of the receptacles there is conveniently provided a charging hopper c adapted to contain and measure the quantity of coal or-other carbonaceous substance to be introduced into any one receptacle. In a suitable position below the charging hopper there is provided a standard Z having at the upper end a bearing Z1 to receive a horizontally disposed shaft Z2 of short length hav ing mounted upon it at one end a holder or carrier m for the receptacles b. The latter comprises a frame or plate extending transversely in both directions with reference to the axis of the shaft and carrying at the outer ends laterally extending U-shaped jaws m1 positioned apart at a distance corresponding to the spacing of the collars b1 upon the receptacles b by whichthey are maintained upon the rails a2 in the retort.

The upper part of each vjaw mJL is provided with a movable clamping meinberlin2 adapted to engage the receptacle carried Within the jaws, each clamping member be mg conveniently slidably carried by a pair of studs or bolts fitted to the said upper part of the jaw. Each clamping member is further provided with a lug or projection on the upper face adapted to extend through an opening in the upper part of the jaw. The latter is provided on the outer side with lugs 'In3 forming bearings for a spindle upon which is rotatably mounted a cam lever or like member m4 adapted in one position to engage the projection upon the clamping member m2 and to maintain'the clamping member in its position of contact with the receptacle.- The cam levers of the two jaws mayconvenently be connected by a bar or like handle m5 by which they may be operated simultaneously, and the clamping members be mounted under spring action tending j to lift them from'the receptacle against the ves action of the cam levers. e

The holder or carrier m is adapted for a movement through 900, the movement being limited by means of a stop plate Z3 carried on the head of the standard Z and having an upstanding portion disposed laterally, with respect to the shaft and nfa position to be engaged by the lower edge of the transverse body of the holder' or carrier m when the latter is in a horizontalposition, while a second stop Z4 is xedly mounted in position in the planeof rotation of Vthe receptacle Z)- seated inthe holder or carrier m and in such position that the movement through 90o rings the receptacle into a vertical position in which the stop Z* contacts with the lower jaw m1 of the holder or carrier m. A handle m6 is conveniently provided upon the body of the holder or carrier to permit it to be rotated by hand.

The holder or carrier m is also adapted for movement inthe vertical direction and for this purpose the standard Z upon which it isy mounted may be formed as the plunger of' an hydraulic ram, or other means'may be adapted for effecting a movement in the vertical direction of the standard to the extent `necessaryaccording to the distance between the inclined run-way or track n by which the empty receptacles are led to the charging point and the corresponding run-way or track it by which the charged receptacles are delivered to the retort. The inclined runway or track n is extended to a position immediately adjacent the jaws m1 of the holder or carrier m when the latter is disposed in the horizontal position.

In order that the empty receptacles b may be fed one at a time into the jaws m1 of the holder or carrier, there are provided bearings o disposed laterally with respect to the inclined run-way or track, in which bearings is mounted a transverse spindle o1 disposed at anclevation above the track n, such thatv theY receptacles may pass below it and the said spindle carries one or more doublev pawls o2 and a weighted lever o3 serving to maintain the pawl or pawls in such position that the foremost end thereof is depressed and engages the first of the receptacles b, while the rearward end is elevated above and to the rear of the said receptacle. The said lever is connected by a rod o* of adjustable length,

with a second lever or lever arms 05 pivoted below the track and extending forwardly to a position in proximity to the lower part of one of the jaws m1 of the holder or carrier when thelatter is in the horizontal position. The end of the said lever or one of the arms 05 is bevelled on the lower edge and the jaw m1 of the'holder is provided with a catch `member mi pivoted upon ahorizontal spindle in suitable lugs or a recess in the jaw so formed that the catch member is adapted for a partial movement of rotation in the upward direction, but cannot rotate in the downward direction. Thus upon the upward movement of the holder or carrier m into the position to receive an empty receptacle b leasing vthe first of the empty receptacles b,

while the second of the empty receptacles is retained by the rear end of the pawl or pawls 02 until thelever or lever arm 03 is out of engagement with the catch member m7. A lever and pawl mechanism may advantageously be provided with respect to each of the jaws of theholder.

When the empty receptacle Z) has passed into the jaws of the holder or carrier m, it is engaged by the clamping members m2 as a result of the operation of the cam levers m4 and the holder or carrier m is thenv rotated through 90 O to bring the receptable t into the vertical position belowthe charging hopper a A measured quantity ot the substance to be distilled is charged into the receptacle, the lowcr end of which has previously been closed by means of a disc b2. The upperI end of the receptable is then similarly closed, the holder or carrier m is again rotated intol the horizontal position and the standard Z is lowered tol the extent necessary to bring the charged receptacle into its correct relation with respect to the inclined run-way or tracli 'L leading to the retort. The cam leveis m4 are then operated to release the clamping members m2 and the charged receptacleis ejected from the holder or carrier m.

It will be understood that the mechanism may be adapted for electrical operation and for the purpose the moyennant in the vertical direction andthe movement kci" rotation may be effected through suitable means iironi electric motors, while the receptable b may;

be retained inthe vjaws m1 ot the holder or carrier m vby electroinagnet or solenoid devices underautomatic or manual control.

The clamping members ni'aybe so provided that their release seives to ii'npel the receptacletrom the seating to the said incliiiedrun-way or track. Means may be provided whereby the operation ot the clamping members, the rotation of the member carrying the receptacle, and the discharge ot the hopper may be etlected automatically.

The receptaclesv Z) which are discharged from the retort may he received upon an inclined run-way or track p by which they may bev delivered to the meansr forr discharging them,` which may comprise a plunger pl adaptedto be reciprocated thiougli the receptacle, after the removal ot the closing discs',` s'o thatthe contents may be ejectedA `upon aidelivery surface, such as an incline, or a travelling conveyor. y The operationy ot the plunger may be eifected automatically as the result ot the arrival ot the charged receptacle inthe discharging position iii which it may be temporarily maintained by pawl devicesin'the manner liereinbeiore described with reference tothe pawls 02. The empty receptacles maybe returned to the inclined track a leading to thegcharging position by a traveller, elevator, or other suitable means and theclosing discs may be similarly `returned to the charging position.

On discharge from the retorts, the recep,

klast section or end ot lthe retort that the receptacleson reaching the lower end thereot fall under gravity therein, and means may be provided at the lower end of the cooling chamber, as at p3, by whichV the dis- :in charged receptaclesmay be passedout from the cooling chamber in a gas-tight manner as hereinbeieore'described. Y

lt will be understood that a number oit the retoits may be mounted in juXta-posi `7h tion in the same setting. Or again, instead ot Vproviding the retorts in sections such as hereinbeforc described, the retorts maybe provided in single lengths inclined to permit of the receptacles rolling down from the ,HU

charging position at one side ot; the setting in the same line to the discharging positionat vthe oppositcside, and inv-such case a number of such retorts may be mounted'within the saine setting, one beneath the other and' H-"i suitably supported by means of arches or otherwise within the setting, and so mounted that the heating gases may be conveniently accessible to them. i

It will be understood that retort sections may be mounted in any suit-f, ablel manner within the setting so that the*V heatinggases are accessible to the retorts, or retort sections for the application of heat external to the retorts, and for this purpose any suitable form ofy setting may be einployed, but in addition; to applying heat externally to the retorts hot gas may be circulated through the retorts.

The means providedforcharging the re 1001 ceptacles with' the coal or other carbonaceous substance to be distilled and the means employed for discharging the` residuefroiii theY receptacles may be set in any convenient position with reference to theretortwithoiity .1052

departing, trom'the invention.

wWe are aware that it is known to secure i; the continuous progression of cylindrical `receptacles.'containing ore through an inclined roasting ,furnace by thevuse of verf tically sliding doors closingthe furnace..

I claim: v Y y.

VYl. Apparatus for thedistillation of coal and similar carbonaceous material, compris- A ing a retort formed in-coniiected tubularl 115. `sections defining a continuous descending path, a settingin which certain of said sec-V tions are tixedly supported and; theothen sections arev slidably supported, said setting having passages therein for the distribution '120i of heating gases about said retort, the fixed,

sections or said retort being telescopically connected to saidother sections to permit n relative endwise movement under expansion,

substantially cylindrical receptacles in which ,125 the carbonaceous material is charged adapted to roll in said vretort sections, means in said retort sections for guiding said receptacles, and means forv sealing t-he ends oit `said retort. 130

the retortsor W 2. Apparatus for the distillation of coal and similar carbonaceousimaterial, comprising a tubular retort defining a continuous descending path from a charging position 5 to a discharging position, a setting in which said retort is supported and having passages for the distribution of heating gases about said retort, substantially cylindrical receptacles Vin which the carbonaceous material 10 is charged adapted to roll from the charging position to the discharging position, and

means for sealing the retort adjacent its 'ends comprising casings and substantially cylindrical carriers rotatably mounted therein, each of the said casings having an opening to receive one of said receptacles and adapted in one position to register with an opening outside said retort and in another position to register With the inside of said retort.

CHARLES lHENRY PARKER. 

